Get Ready for Work

Get Ready for Work is a 13-week programme for school leavers or young people aged between 16 and 18.  It involves training to suit individual needs including work tasters in a wide range of workplaces.  Trainees can take the opportunity to experience a range of different careers as well as acquire new and varied vocational skills.  The programme aims to identify progression routes towards employment or relevant skills and training.

The programme is suitable for young people from all academic backgrounds, skills and abilities, and no-one will be refused entry to the programme on the grounds of disability or health problems.

Trainees receive an allowance of £50 per week plus travel costs.

The programme runs throughout the year so trainees can start almost whenever they like.

Get Ready for Work is delivered by Support Training and Grainshore Training Centre.

Support Training (telephone 01856 873582)

Grainshore Training Centre (telephone 01856 875088)

GET READY FOR WORK IN ORKNEY

Ross Howe
Ross knew when he left school that he would like to learn a trade but was not sure which one. Despite having passed both the SECTT and CITB tests, Ross had no luck in finding an apprenticeship by himself. Careers Scotland referred him to Grainshore Training Centre on Get Ready for Work.

At Grainshore, Ross was given the opportunity to try both wood and metal work. Preferring woodwork, he gained new skills while helping make picnic benches for the community. A placement was arranged for Ross with R S Rendall, a construction business, working with masons. Here Ross realised that he had found the trade he wanted to do and impressed the company so much that they decided to offer him an apprenticeship.

Ross has just completed his first year of his training and is grateful for the help and the opportunity Get Ready for Work gave him.

Leanne Shaw
Leanne was referred to Get Ready for Work at Support Training as she had recently moved to Orkney to be with her family after completing her exams.  She was interested in hairdressing but was unsure about what steps to take to get into the profession.  She also knew very few people in Orkney and, based in Flotta, would have to commute daily to work in any local salon.

Leanne started the GRFW programme and through this, made friends.  Support Training arranged placements for Leanne at No1Kutz and Headwest.  During her time on placement it became apparent that she had an aptitude for hairdressing.  Leanne was employed at No1 Kutz and is now undertaking a level 2 in hairdressing through Skillseekers.